This is an extract from a letter written by Ian Munro, an ichthyologist
employed by the CSIRO for many years and one of the people who originally
help set up the "Advisory Committee on the Importation of Live Fishes". This
body was responsible for allowing or disallowing aquarium fishes into
Australia. Its now undertaken by 'Environment Australia' or some name like
that. Its that mob that makes someone else on this list feel Warm and Cuddly
all over - Personally Bundy and Coke is the only thing that makes me feel
Warm and Cuddly ;-)
"I much sympathise with you over your current frustrations. Of course I
cannot open my mouth about import bans and noxious fishes. There was a time
when I would have been called in on the advisory panels but these days
expertise is proliferating like magic and about as deceptive. Knowing many
of the people now pushing such matters in the government I am very much
aware of levels of technical background (or lack of it) and the power of
bureaucracy. The fish importers here are pretty hot under the collar about
the action to ban goldfish and limit the number of tropical species. In the
second instance the reason stems from inadequacy of government officials
(including biologists & ichthyologists) to cope with learning to recognise
more than a few dozen commoner species. I believe that the Victorian
Government never really managed to eradicate carp and I doubt if any
government will really beat smuggling of some goodies."
I particularly like the part "...these days expertise is proliferating like
magic and about as deceptive. Knowing many of the people now pushing such
matters in the government I am very much aware of levels of technical
background (or lack of it) and the power of bureaucracy..."
This letter was written 22 years ago - I guess some things never really change!
Adrian.
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Adrian R. Tappin
"Home of the Rainbowfish"
http://www.ecn.net.au/~atappin/home.htm
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